Thing 2

For Thing two I have selected a Google Doc template of a book review.  This template will be modified to be used by the online textbook review committee at RHS.  I will ask some felow teachers to look at the Doc and suggest modifications needed to adapt the it to the task at hand.  We will be reviewing open source online textbooks and course material with the intent of making recommendations on whether they will be suitable for use with students.  Because Jing will not easily capture entire documents in a screen shot it will be necessary to also link the document and recommend they edit the original. 

As for using this tool in with students in the library I have already given some students instruction on accessing Google Docs as a source for ready made spreadsheets, memos, signs and order forms.  Often their need is to complete a task assigned to them in extracurricular activities helping organize an event, fundraiser or information campaign.   They come to the library seeking resources or help with accessing online materials to aid in their project.  Too often students flail about in Google Images thinking that they can access templates there.   And sometimes they hit pay dirt but they find that either someone is looking to get paid for the material or the student finds themselves compromising copyright.  Often the student is unaware of the copyright situation so when I do train them in Google Doc access I take the opportunity to explain the concept of implied copyright, fair use and public domain.  Since Google Docs are created for fair use in thepublic domain we can avoid stepping over the line and opening up a window of liability for the student and the district.

As a staff development tool Google Docs has been used at Rockford Public Schools for two years.  As one of the Media Specilialist at RPS I took part in training K-12 staff in classroom applications of this valuable tool.  Unfortunately the 'market penetration' for lack of a better term has not been as deep as I would have hoped.  Too many teachers when exposed to Google Doc are impressed with the potential but can't find time to fully implement it on a wide scale when delivering curriculum and or managing projects.  I have suggested to teachers I would be of assistance in setinng up a project in Doc to get them started but for the most part I have had few takers.   All too often when offering PD to classroom teachers it is a difficult thing to get them to abandon past and for the most part proven practices.  Even with the massive potential for peer editing, group work and ease of tracking who did what on group projects teachers seem to think the set up time and managing of the project via Docs is prohibitive.  I suspect that the recent transition to trimesters has caused them to be very cautious in implementing new technology when they know with very little up front time they can accomplish what they need using what they have always done.  It is a distinctly different thing to try to get teachers to buy into 'work smarter not harder' than students.  Teachers come to the table with a great deal of experience, a finer tuned work ethic (usually) and an ingrained position on best practices.  Students are more of a blank page.  Of course, that doesn't mean I will quit trying to enlighten and enable them all in good time.